Tag: Germany

Bike-Ride To Australia 5th-November 2011 Bitche, France to Pforzheim, Germany. 84 miles. A pleasant ride through the forests that straddle the border between France and Germany. And wait for it, no wind or rain! Plus, it was relatively flat! Although it didn’t stay flat for long. And I was soon cycling up Col du Pigeonnier at 432 metres.

I’m not too sure about these German roads! They don’t seem to have many road numbers, just where the road goes, which is fine if you know where you’re going! I don’t, or rather I do! I’m heading for Australia! But on my map, there are very few towns between one night’s stop and the next. And none of them is on the signs!

I’m staying at a huge hotel tonight, and I’m the only one here! Midweek it’s probably full of businessmen. But come the weekend, it’s dead! Supper was nice tonight. They seem to give you bread as standard with a side dip or spread. It tasted like beef dripping tonight, lovely. I’ve not had that since I was young.

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Bike-Ride To Australia 4th-November 2011 Perl-Sinz, Germany to Bitche, France. 77 miles. I took my time over breakfast this morning, knowing I’d be going uphill as soon as I stepped out of the hotel. It didn’t help that it was also blowing a gale and raining! Eventually, though, I had to bite the bullet and get on my way. As usual, the hill wasn’t that bad. The sun also came out after an hour or two, although the day finished in the rain, again! The thought of a hill is always worse than the deed! It’s a bit like going to the dentist!

I had my first puncture today! Which was made even more annoying by the fact I’d found a flat piece of road to cycle on! Which on this ride seems a bit of a rarity! It didn’t take long to fix, and I was soon back on my way, cycling beside the River Saar. I must admit that I’m finding this ride a bit harder than expected! Not so much because of the hills and wind, although they don’t help! No, it’s more to do with the length of the day. I don’t mind the days starting in the dark. I know it’s going to get light. But when it’s mid-afternoon, and it’s already getting dark, and will stay dark for the remainder of the day. I’m not so keen, especially when it starts to rain, as it has today!

At least tonight’s hotel has the internet, the first time I’ve had it since leaving England! It was heartwarming and very encouraging to see all the messages of support posted on my website and social media channels. It makes me feel like I’m not too far away from home. I’m back in France tonight, which should be my last by my calculation! I cross into Germany for good tomorrow, where I’ll be for a few days. My fourth country.

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